A rub is used to season pork tenderloin, which is then seared until golden and baked in a delicious honey garlic sauce until it’s sticky on the outside and juicy on the inside. This is a quick and easy pork fillet recipe that gives you a lot of food for very little work.
Pork tenderloin is a lean, tender cut of meat that tastes great when it’s cooked just right. Sort of like chicken breast.
Hence the beauty of this pork tenderloin recipe. It’s unbelievable when the pork is cooked perfectly.
But if you go slightly over, no one’s going to notice with this outrageously delicious honey garlic sauce!
VERY few ingredients! This is another recipe that gives you a lot of food for not much work. You only need a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes of work to make something that tastes amazing.
Pork fillet, also known as pork tenderloin, is a lean and tender cut of meat that can be prepared in a variety of quick and easy ways. With the right techniques, you can have a delicious and juicy pork fillet meal on the table in under 30 minutes. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the different methods for cooking pork fillet along with tips, tricks and recipe ideas to help you cook pork fillet perfectly every time.
Pork fillet comes from the tenderloin muscle that runs along the backbone of the pig. It is an oval-shaped, narrow cut of meat that is very lean and tender since the muscle does not get much use. Pork fillet has very little fat marbling which makes it prone to drying out during cooking if not prepared properly
Some key things to know about pork fillet:
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It is very lean and tender.
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Prone to drying out if overcooked. Cook to 145°F for juicy, tender meat.
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Usually 1-2 lbs in size
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May have a thin, silvery membrane on the surface that can be trimmed off.
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Quick cooking time, usually 10-30 minutes.
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Goes well with a variety of seasonings and marinades.
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Can be grilled, pan seared, baked or roasted.
With the right cooking techniques, pork fillet can be transformed into a moist and flavorful meal. Let’s go over the main methods for cooking this versatile cut of meat.
Pan Searing
Pan searing is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook pork fillet. Browning the meat in a hot pan gives it a nice caramelized crust while keeping the interior juicy and tender.
You’ll need:
- 1-2 lb pork fillet, silver skin removed
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Pan searing seasoning like garlic powder, thyme, rosemary
Steps:
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Pat pork fillet dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
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Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
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When oil is shimmering, add pork fillet. Do not move it for 3-5 minutes to get a nice sear.
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Flip and cook other sides until browned, about 5 minutes total.
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Remove pork to a plate and tent with foil to rest for 5-10 minutes.
The key is high heat to get a good sear and resisting the urge to move the meat too early. Let it brown before flipping. Pan searing gives you a flavorful crust while keeping the interior juicy.
Try this Best Juicy Pork Tenderloin recipe for pan seared fillet.
Baking
Baking is another easy, hands-off way to cook pork fillet. The dry heat of the oven will gently cook the meat all the way through without drying it out.
You’ll need:
- 1-2 lb pork fillet
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt, pepper, seasoning of choice
- Baking sheet
Steps:
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Preheat oven to 425°F.
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Pat pork dry and coat all over with oil. Season generously with salt, pepper and any other seasoning.
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Place pork on a baking sheet and roast for 15-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
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Remove from oven, tent with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Baking gives you evenly cooked meat with a nicely browned exterior. Try mixing up your seasonings like garlic, rosemary, thyme or a southwest spice rub.
For more guidance, use this Easy Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin recipe.
Grilling
Grilling is a quick cooking method that imparts delicious smoky flavor to pork fillet. The high heat helps get a nice char while the tenderloin stays juicy inside.
You’ll need:
- 1-2 lb pork fillet
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper or dry rub
- Gas or charcoal grill
Steps:
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Prepare grill for direct high heat. Clean grates and brush with oil.
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Coat pork fillet with oil and season all over.
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Place pork over direct heat. Grill for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway until well browned.
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Move to indirect heat and continue grilling for 10-15 minutes until internal temp reaches 145°F.
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Rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Get those nice grill marks by searing over direct heat before finishing over indirect heat. Try pairing with a sweet glaze or sauce for grilled pork fillet.
Broiling
If you don’t have an outdoor grill, broiling is a great alternative for getting crispy, caramelized flavor. The intense overhead heat from the broiler will give your pork fillet a good char.
You’ll need:
- 1-2 lb pork fillet
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Seasoning of choice
- Broiler pan
Steps:
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Preheat broiler to high and position rack 6 inches from heat.
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Pat pork dry and coat with a thin layer of oil or melted butter. Season well.
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Place pork on broiler pan and broil for 7-9 minutes until well browned. Flip and broil other side.
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Continue broiling about 10-15 minutes until internal temp reaches 145°F.
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Rest pork for 5-10 minutes before slicing to serve.
Keep a close eye on your pork fillet when broiling as the intense heat can quickly overcook the exterior. Tent with foil if it browns too quickly.
Slow Roasting
For super tender and flavorful pork fillet, try low and slow roasting in the oven. The gentle heat tenderizes the meat while keeping it incredibly moist.
You’ll need:
- 1-2 lb pork fillet
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Seasoning blend
- Roasting pan
Steps:
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Preheat oven to 275°F.
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Pat pork dry, coat with oil or butter and season all over.
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Place pork in a roasting pan and roast for 45 mins to 1 hour until internal temp reaches 145°F.
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Rest pork for 10 minutes before slicing.
Slow roasting is great for larger cuts of pork fillet around 2 lbs. The meat will be succulent and flavorful. Try scattering some aromatic veggies in the pan too.
Instant Pot
For the easiest hands-off method, use an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker. The moist heat tenderizes the pork fillet to perfection.
You’ll need:
- 1-2 lb pork fillet
- 1 cup liquid like broth or water
- Seasoning of choice
- Instant Pot
Steps:
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Season pork fillet all over. Set Instant Pot to saute and brown pork on all sides.
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Add liquid to pot and place trivet and pork on top.
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Seal lid and cook on manual high pressure for 8-12 minutes depending on thickness.
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Use natural release, then remove pork. Rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
The moist environment of the Instant Pot ensures your pork fillet stays incredibly juicy. Try adding veggies or cooking in sauce for extra flavor.
Tips for Cooking Pork Fillet
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Always let pork rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking – this allows juices to redistribute for tender meat.
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness; cook to 140-145°F for ideal juiciness.
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Prevent drying out by avoiding overcooking and using a meat thermometer.
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Pound thicker fillets to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
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Trim away any excess fat or silver membrane for better browning.
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Dry pork well before searing to help get a nice brown crust.
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Try a flavorful marinade for added moisture and taste.
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Add aromatic veggies like onions, garlic, carrots when roasting in the oven.
Fun Ways to Use Leftover
What to serve with pork tenderloin
That yellow-green blur in the background is this Lemon Potato Salad to which I added steamed green beans, but it’s hard to see in the picture above. I love a carb-and-vegetable side dish that lasts for days! Here are some more:
You could also serve it with a fresh garden salad dressed with a fresh vinaigrette, like the one used in this cabbage salad or a French or Italian one.
I’d also recommend something to slop up the sauce with – bread, mashed potato, or Cauliflower Mash. What looks like mash in the photo below is actually Mashed Cauliflower. Carb free, creamy smooth indulgence – you’ll see it in the recipe video! ~ N x ❤️.
How to cook pork tenderloin
Starting the pork tenderloin on the stove and finishing it in the oven is the best way to cook it. First, sear the pork to make a nice crust (remember that color = flavor ), then put it back in the oven to finish cooking.
It can, but by the time the middle is just done, the outside ring of the tenderloin will be much done. Reduce this uneven cooking by bringing the pork to room temperature before cooking.
Yes, you can do that again, but the tenderloin won’t have the same color on the outside, and the flavor will be different. It’s okay to skip the first sear if the sauce is this good! Directions are in the recipe notes.
Look at that sauce glazing the pork!!! Doesn’t it look incredible??!
This pork tenderloin recipe calls for honey garlic sauce, which you can also find on my website in other recipes, like those for salmon, chicken breast, and the crispiest baked chicken wings ever.
It’s just one of those terrific back pocket sauces that works with virtually every protein. Just a few ingredients that totally transforms when simmered on the stove into a savoury-sweet sauce.
It’s inevitable that it will make yet another appearance one of these days!
Pork Tenderloin Basics
FAQ
What is the best method of cooking pork tenderloin?
Is pork tenderloin same as pork fillet?
Does pork fillet need to be cooked through?
How do you keep pork fillet from drying out?
How do you cook pork tenderloin in the oven?
Mouthwatering, buttery tender pork tenderloin seasoned to perfection and roasted in the oven for about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425° (F). Mix all dry ingredients in a small bowl. Trim pork tenderloin of any excess fat or silverskin. Pat pork dry and coat with olive oil. Rub seasoning mix all over pork tenderloin.
How do you make easy pork tenderloin?
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make easy pork tenderloin: Trim and season the pork tenderloin. Cook the pork tenderloin in oil until both sides are golden brown. Deglaze the pan. Finish the pork tenderloin in the oven. Let the pork rest before serving.
How do you cook pork tenderloin in a frying pan?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry the pork tenderloins well with paper towels. Mix the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix over all sides of the pork. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
How long does pork tenderloin take to cook?
Say goodbye to dry and flavorless pork tenderloin. With my easy cooking method, you can make the best, juicy, tender pork tenderloin in under 30 minutes. If you’re tired of dry pork tenderloin, try my easy recipe. It guarantees moist and juicy pork, which you can make with your favorite spice rub.